Matthew Liberatore said one reason the Cardinals have become a surprise team this season is because of the strong chemistry among the team's starting staff.
With the baseball world eager to learn how a Cardinals club supposedly rebuilding this season has inexplicably become the feel-good team of 2026, left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore offered up a bit of insight on Wednesday.
With the Cardinals in New York to face the Mets – and riding high after Tuesday’s 7-0 dominant performance pushed their winning streak to five games – Liberatore spoke to MLB TV about the unique blend of confidence and cohesion St. Louis has tapped into this season.
“We’ve got a really close group of guys,” said Liberatore, whose Cardinals face the Mets and Twins on this six-game road trip. “I said it the other day sitting on the bench – it’s the most fun I’ve ever had cheering on the other four guys every time they pitch. We all bounce ideas off one another and we’re all usually in the same place at the same time and talking about the same stuff. We all really pull for one another when we take the mound. It’s been a really fun year and hopefully we can continue trending in the right direction.”
Teammates Nolan Gorman and Masyn Winn have echoed Liberatore’s sentiments about having as much fun as they’ve ever had in the big leagues because of the unique blend of chemistry and confidence coursing throughout the Cards clubhouse these days. Not only has the club surged to eight games over .500, but it has pulled off 19 come-from-behind victories.
The Cardinals (36-28) currently occupy the National League’s top wildcard position, just ahead of the Phillies (36-31) and the D-backs (34-32) and well ahead of high-payroll teams such as the Cubs (34-33) and Mets (29-37).
This is likely not what most had in mind for the Cardinals when hew president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom unloaded the burdensome contracts of veterans Nolan Areando, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan over the winter. That left newcomers Ryan Stanek and Dustin May and holdover relievers Riley O’Brien and JoJo Romero as the oldest players in a young, fresh-faced clubhouse filled with belief and exuberance.
“It’s completely different than anything I’ve ever experienced in the big leagues,” said 28-year-old outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who joined the surprise season already in progress after having double heel surgery over the weekend. “Not saying it’s good or bad, but it’s different. … The feeling in the clubhouse now is great, but also very different. Now, I’m the old man telling the kids to get off the front lawn. But it’s great and we’re having fun.”
Cards pitching staff working to improve
Veteran pitcher Dustin May, who could be dangled at the MLB Trade Deadline for prospects, helped lower the Cardinals’ staff ERA to 4.03 on Tuesday night with six shutout innings. The Cards staff ranks 15th in ERA, 27th in strikeouts (496), 25th in batting average allowed (.253) and ninth in homers allowed (65), leading to pitchers continuing to tinker with their stuff to make improvements.
May (4-6, 4.21 ERA) broke a personal four-game losing streak with Tuesday’s defeat of the Mets. Wednesday night’s starter, Andre Pallante (6-4, 3.96 ERA), has bounced back nicely from a disastrous 2025 season, while Michael McGreevy (3-5, 2.99) has been the most consistent starter and Kyle Leahy (5-3, 4.42) has successfully transitioned out of the bullpen. Hunter Dobbins, who has pitched well of late in relief, will get his second start of the season on Thursday as part of a six-man staff.
As for Liberatore (3-3, 4.48 ERA), he has seen a spike in his strikeouts of late after making changes to how hard he throws his slider. Now, he’s looking to add more tools to his arsenal.
“I’ve used (a split-fingered pitch) a few times in gamers this year and it’s something that I’m stilly toying with it behind the scenes,” Liberatore said to MLB TV. “I see the value in it and I understand how valuable it could be if I’m able to consistently throw quality ones.
“It’s something that hasn’t clicked for me yet, but I have a good six-pitch arsenal outside of that. So, I’m still working on it behind the scenes, but I haven’t thrown it a ton so far.”
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